The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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'Ello

'Ello, NeonRed, or even just Red. Most people call me that.

I've only really done one big map for a D&D campaign I was in. The DM gave us a packet the first day which had this little MS Paint map of the world we were playing in. Pretty much just color splotches with blue in the background. I then asked the DM for his help in making it bigger. After it was finished, one of our players who works at WalMart had a large posters version printed up, and I loved how it came out.

The interesting part is that in the campaign there was a group called the Cartographers' Guild (heehee) whose symbol was that of a fox. So, in the bottom right corner of the map I added a stylized fox head, making it look like an authentic "Cartographers' Guild" map.

Looking back at it, there are many changes I'd make to said map, and I am actually being somewhat commissioned by another friend and his brother to bring their world to digital life. I have so much to learn, and so much fun to have along the way. I am going to school, my major is in Graphic Arts, focusing on the printing aspects of the field, but I am somewhat self taught. Emphasis on the 'somewhat'. Mostly just me tooling around with CS2 then Gimpshop, Inkscape and now CS5 for a bit.

Personal life, I have my first kid on the way. I am due in late May, early June. The husband and I are both scared and excited. Not exactly sure how often I'll be able to be on the forum, but it caught my eye and intrigued me so I could not help but join and check it out.

Glad you found us and good luck with both school and children. Welcome.

If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
-J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, or if you're smart a plane ticket. I started out on the road some 7 or 8 years ago now. I started out in much the same say- digitising my old paper maps. I've not regretted a minute of it. Hope it's as well for you.

welcome to the guild, be sure to check out our tutorials area ... hurry up and map a lot before the child comes ... everybody talks about how much they'll do, while on maternaty leave ... but reality is when the baby is sleeping - you probably should be too *lol*

I know it's different for Dad vs. Mom (amen to the "plan on sleeping!" :-) ) but when we had little bitty babes I got some good mapping done late at night, with child draped across one arm, or cradled in lap, so my wife could sleep. Welcome to the Guild, and no, you don't talk too much. Do you still have a copy of the map you could scan?